The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-01-06
rOwDERLY DaxouxcHs SOCIALISTS.
Ringing Letter from Mr.. Powderly In Denuncia'
tion Of Socialism Among tho knights OF Labor.


A letter written by Mr.. Powderly TO a
Knight OF Labor some time ago has just
been given out. He says:
You have men In New York who would
move heaven and earth to restore the
old customs and make the order
~ ain an oath-bound organization.
know them. You have men in New
York who have cc-operated with men in
Philadelphia to break up the order by 60
ing to q Catholic prelatc OF emnence and
telling him that N old oath is still in force;
that the word OF honor is but blind to
make cats paws oil the Catholic members
and that the general master workman
il party to the infamous transaction.
The curse OF the Knights OF Labor
has come from the promptness with
which acknowledged leaders OF the
socialistic element have put themselves
forward at meetings. and, while speak.
ing, plainly limited at the musket and
Gatling gun as the remedy for labor's
grievances. Many OF the men who advo-
cate these principles OF socialism do not
understand them, nor do they care to un-
derstand them. They set forth the idea
and convey the impression that the
only weapons by which labor can
hope to secure the desired reforms
are the knife and bludgeon. Men
may entertain such ideas as they please,
but they should not seek, under the cloak
OF the Knightsof Labor, to promulgate such
doctrines and make the order responsible
for them. i claim the right to differ as to
means best calculated to bring about re-
form. and am willing to respect the opin-
ions OF others; but until the Knights OF
Labor adopt the shotgun as their chief
weapon will vigorously object to allow
ing
to step to the front at all meetings got up
in the interest OF labor. They must not be
permitted to advocate blood and fire and
yet proclaim themselves to be the mouth
pieces OF the labor cause. The conduct
and language of these men have caused the
clergy men to regard us with an eye OF SUI
spicion, and it will require strenuous efforts
on our part to remove the erroneous i'm
pressions concerning us. 1t is my firm and
honest belief that.as vast as is this country
there is not room enough within it's bounds
for the exercise OF O single rifle. have no
respect for the man or men who will fiaunt
that accursed red flag and advocate the
use OF the dirk and bullet for 365 days in
the year, and who, on the 365th day,
deliberately walk up to the polls and
vote for the continuance OF the system
which they denounce. l am sorry that the
order ever found y foothold in New York,
for no good has ever come from large cities
which are prolific Of whisky and crime.
There are many good Knights in your city.
If l required any determined action give
me the man who reads and thinks instead
OF the man who drinks. There are more
OF the latter in a large city than the
former. However, the Knights OF Labor
will live, and their principles will spread
and eventually triumph. Bah on the crea-
lures who stand up as the champions OF
labor in the presence OF unthinking men
and advocate the knife and bullerl Bah on
the men who flaunt the red flag! They are
too vile to respect, and too cowardly to
the blood OF patriots. they disgrace i
every time they 60 to the polls and vote
for monopoly and usury. They are not to
be trusted.